Tim Maguire

Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss) (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009)

Iconic Jazz and blues guitarist Les Paul pioneered the solid-body electric guitar, 
influencing what would become rock ‘n’ roll music. On November 23, 2011, Paul
was ranked at #18 on Rolling Stone‘s "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".That
same year, Paul was added to the Nashville Walk of Fame.

In January 1948, Les Paul shattered his right arm and elbow in a near-fatal
auto accident. Doctors at Oklahoma City’s Wesley Presbyterian Hospital told
Paul they could not rebuild his elbow. Their other option was amputation. He 
was flown to Los Angeles, where his arm was set at an angle—just under 90
degrees—that allowed him to cradle and pick the guitar. It took him nearly a
year and a half to recover.